STOKE City trio Peter Crouch, Matthew Etherington and Matthew Upson have been sounded out over the possibility of representing Great Britain at this summer's Olympic Games, The Sentinel can reveal.

The trio would qualify as over-age players for Stuart Pearce's football squad at London 2012.

It is unlikely all three will be picked because Pearce is only allowed three players over the age of 23 – and David Beckham has already put himself forward for the role of captain.

But the possibility of losing even one of his players for the majority of pre-season training will leave Stoke manager Tony Pulis with mixed feelings.

He would be particularly delighted for Etherington to win a call-up, however, after the 30-year-old's failure to appear in a senior international for England.

The experience of Crouch and Upson could be called upon by Pearce, pictured below, because England's Euro 2012 squad will be exempt from Olympic selection.

Both have played at World Cups and such tournament experience would be invaluable alongside so many younger players.

Pearce's selection options could be further limited because the Football Associations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have given a lukewarm response to an all-British Olympic football team for fear of losing their individual status in the eyes of FIFA.

Players chosen by Pearce are likely to be required for training some three weeks before the Olympics start on July 27.

The football final is scheduled for Saturday, August 11 – just one or two weeks before the start of the Premier League season.

Premier League shareholders meet on February 2 to decide if next season's league programme will kick-off on Saturday August 18 or 25.

Any footballers selected for the Olympics could spend as little as one week with their club before next season's big kick-off.

Stoke legend and Sentinel columnist Denis Smith said he and fellow Stokies would be proud to see one of their own representing Britain.

He said: "As a manager, you want your players to recuperate and come back fresh for the start of your own season.

"But from the player's point of view, how can you turn down the opportunity to play for Britain at the Olympics and in your own country?

"It's a once-in-a-lifetime achievement, if you're lucky, and one to tell the grandchildren all about."

Long throw experts Rory Delap and Ryan Shotton remain injury doubts ahead of Stoke's game against West Bromwich Albion this afternoon (3pm).

That could pave the way for Jermaine Pennant's return to the starting line-up for only the second time in nine league matches.